Trump denies criticising Theresa May in United Kingdom newspaper interview

Trump attacked British Prime Minister Theresa May's recently released plan for the U.K.'s departure from the European Union, saying the plan-which keeps Britain closely aligned with the E.U. on certain regulatory matters-would "probably kill" the chance of a trade deal with the U.S.

Most damaging was Trump's statement that the USA would probably not do a trade deal with the United Kingdom because of the limitations on trade implied in May's Brexit plan.

In the interview, Trump also said that Boris Johnson, former Foreign Secretary and potential leadership challenger to May, would make a "great prime minister", adding "I think he's got what it takes". Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson and Brexit Secretary David Davis both quit the government this week in protest.

"I also represent a lot of people in Europe because a lot of people from Europe are in the United States", he said. "He obviously likes me, and says very good things about me". "I'm very strong on immigration". And that's fine. She should negotiate the best way she knows how. "She's got a great and lovely grace about her".

White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders later told reporters Trump was "thankful for the wonderful welcome" he received in Britain.

First Lady Melania Trump (centre) joined the prime minister's husband Philip May (second right), on a visit to the Royal Hospital Chelsea, London, and took questions from school children.

Mr Trump did not go into details about what specific countries had promised but suggested they would be increasing their rates of spending "at a much faster clip".

Mr Trump has repeatedly complained about the cost to the U.S. from collective defence and during the presidential election campaign said North Atlantic Treaty Organisation was "obsolete". "She probably thought it was too brutal".

Trump said his statements to The Sun were based on reports he had read that indicated free trade would likely not be possible with Britain after it leaves the EU. Scottish police, however, said that the balloon could not fly over the Turnberry golf club Trump owns on the west coast of the country. "But when they make you feel unwelcome, why would I stay there?" he said "I guess when they put out blimps to make me feel unwelcome, no reason for me to go to London".

"The deal she is striking is a much different deal than the one the people voted on", he said. He also said he will bring up the issue of Russian Federation meddling in the 2016 US election. I will absolutely bring that up.

When asked about Russian Federation illegally occupying Crimea, Trump blamed the Obama administration and said Putin "wouldn't have done that if I was president".

Fox News, the supportive network Mr Trump is known to watch extensively, called him the "Disruptor in chief", saying he had delivered a "bombshell interview" that had "thrown fuel onto the country's already fiery political debate".

German Chancellor Merkel hit back immediately, not only denying Trump's contention but suggesting that his comfortable upbringing in the USA gave him no standing to spout off on the world stage about Germany.

The president spent the night at the United States ambassador's residence located in a London park behind a "ring of steel" fencing, stalked by noisy demonstrators.

Trump said Khan had done "a awful job" on terrorism and crime in the capital. Instead, he said, May went "the opposite way", and the results have been "very unfortunate".

Trump has always been a Brexit supporter and has expressed enthusiasm for a wide-ranging trade deal with Britain after Brexit, something heralded by eurosceptics as being one of the great benefits of exiting the bloc.